Southern Moderate African American Issues

Southern Politics: I am Confused…Again

Would someone be so kind as to explain southern politics to me because I am confused? Georgia’s Blue Dog Democrats worked with President Bush and congressional Republicans on a range of issues because their districts wanted a certain amount of cooperation and civility. In other words, Democrat voters allowed these congressmen leeway to function in the best interest of our state.

Today, the shoe is on the other foot but Georgia Republican voters are not allowing their party’s congressmen the same leeway with President Obama (honestly, those congressmen personally don’t like the new White House agenda…personally.) To me, this is the point where “D” colleagues quietly meet and remind “R” colleagues of past cooperation and the heat Democrats took for that cooperation—just be fair.

Look at it like this: I live in southwest Georgia and my congressional representation comes from a D congressman and two R senators. I am generally pleased with all three but know that my R friends think the congressman is some now undemocratic or unconstitutional for not doing what they want. Huh?

The guy wins elects by big numbers so his legislative actions should reflect the will of the people who voted for him—two/thirds of the voters. On the other hand, an R congressman wins elections my similar margins in southeast Georgia. A Democrat voter in that part of the state can’t get upset if that conservative doesn’t side with congressional liberals.

I am also confused when the will of the voters is likely wrong. For example, most rural Georgia voters before 1970 supported laws and policies that treated Black Georgians as second-class citizens—see my point. While opposition to the current Democrat leaders in congress and the White House is very vocal, the voters elected these leaders fair and square. To go against the will of the voters would be un-American on some level.

Georgia Blue Dogs have generally been supportive of this White House but Democrat voters should not allow them to take our votes for granted while flirting with far-right voters.

Do you have any idea how many people wrote letters, emails, phone calls and faxes to the ‘R’ senators during the Bush years to say no to the out of control spending that was going on, or the reduction in personal liberties?

People have got to get past the party affiliation and ask what is best for the country…not what is best for your district, what is best in the long run for the country.

I was on Capitol Hill last week making those office visits. I assure you the ‘R’ leaders caught more flack than the ‘D’ Congressman. They were all elected as fiscal conservatives..and all have failed in that arena.

Okay D: I was at the Million Man March and the large welcome home 4th of July Event after Desert Storm. Tell me how many people were at the event last week in your opinion. Your name is on the front of the newspaper more than many elected officials.

I spoke with several National Park Service people Sunday as I finally had time to do some sight seeing. They estimated from 1.7 million to 2.5 million. They all said it was the largest event ever held in DC. One officer said he had worked there for 20 years and that he had never seen such a large, peaceful, and non mess making crowd there ever.